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Phoenix-Talent schools want fitness playground, solar arrays By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Jan 11, 2023 12:45 PM A A A 248-kilowatt solar array on the roof of Phoenix High School, as seen from a drone image, saves about $19,000 a year in energy costs. Solar panels could be added to more Phoenix-Talent schools with pandemic relief and grant funds. [Photo by Phoenix-Talent School District] Using a combination of COVID-19 relief and grant funding, Phoenix-Talent School District hopes to upgrade numerous facilities, ranging from a “fitness playground” at the high school to solar arrays at its elementary and middle schools. Jon McCalip, director of facilities at Phoenix-Talent School District spoke about the project proposals at Phoenix High School, Talent Middle School and Talent Elementary School during a Jan. 5 school board meeting. “Keep your fingers crossed — I know I will,” McCalip told board members. A fitness playground at the high school would utilize a second round of federal pandemic relief, known as ESSER II. But before McCalip can pursue these funds, the project must get approved by the school board and Oregon Department of Education. McCalip projects if all goes according to plan, the playground would be completed by June 30. Meanwhile, the district is pursuing grants through Business Oregon TES and TMS for those schools’ seismic rehabilitation needs. McCalip noted seismic upgrades would be crucial to being able to support the solar panels, which would likely be placed on the roofs of TMS and TES. As for the proposed solar panels on TES and TMS, the district is using the Community Renewable Energy Program for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities. Both solar and seismic upgrades could be completed by fall 2024. Rogue Climate is involved in helping the district pursue energy efficiency and solar grants, McCalip told members of the school board and the Mail Tribune in an interview. The nonprofit helped the city of Talent to reinvigorate its clean energy plan before partnering with the district. Maeve Hogan, energy resilience organizer for Rogue Climate, said she believes there is a “great opportunity” for Talent elementary and middle schools. "(Solar panels and battery storage units) could then provide energy savings to the schools ... and, in addition, be able to open up the possibility of the school being able to provide shelter during future disruptions,” Hogan said. She noted how important seismic upgrades, such as school roofs, would be to installing solar panels. “Both of the schools we’re looking at already needed more seismic upgrades to be earthquake prepared and resistant,” she said. “Having really strong foundations for buildings is actually really good for putting solar panels on them. You can support the heavy weight of solar panels.” Talent Middle School Principal Katherine Holden is not involved with the inner workings of the solar panel proposal, but she is enthusiastic, nonetheless. “It’s super exciting to think that we could have solar panels on Talent Middle School,” Holden said. “I can understand, given our site ... we do get a lot of solar exposure.” She believes any new technology added to the school is a good way to help her students understand not only energy savings, but what industries they could enter when they grow up, like engineering. Phoenix-Talent School District is no stranger to solar power. Phoenix High School has a 248-kilowatt solar array on the roof, which saves about $19,000 a year in energy costs. If TMS and TES are added to the mix and outfitted with solar panels, McCalip sees movement on these kinds of installments at other schools in the district. “If we do those projects and we’re successful, I see us probably looking at Phoenix Elementary and possibly Orchard Hill Elementary School down the road,” he said. McCalip also talked about the fitness playground, which is not common for high schools. The structure would be located between the high school concession stand and the fence by the railroad tracks. McCalip explained the idea came from students with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, who wanted more opportunities for physical activity. “This would give them a space to participate in some way, shape or form,” McCalip said. The fitness playground could include a merry-go-round for wheelchair-bound students. But more broadly, the district hopes the entire student body at Phoenix High School can use it as an alternative to the gym, the high school track and a nearby field they currently use for exercise. “I think it’s going to be a great addition,” McCalip said. The fitness playground at the high school would follow a playground upgrade at Talent Elementary School, which also took in ESSER II funds to get the project done. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno